Resident Evil 52820 226176075 2008-07-17T04:29:32Z Protonk 6912611 see talk page. Merger of The Hive to Raccoon city has obviated the need for a merger. rm proposed merger tag. '''''Resident Evil''''' (known in [[Japan]] as {{nihongo|'''''Biohazard'''''|バイオハザード|Baiohazādo}}) is a [[survival horror]] [[video game]] series and [[media franchise]] consisting of [[comic book]]s, [[Novels|novelizations]], three [[films]], and a variety of [[collectible]]s, including [[action figure]]s, [[strategy guide]]s and publications. <ref>"Enter The Survival Horror... A ''Resident Evil'' Retrospective," ''Game Informer'' 174 (October 2007): 132-133.</ref> Developed by [[Capcom]] and created by [[Shinji Mikami]], the series has been influenced by [[George A. Romero]]'s [[Living Dead]] films,{{Fact|date=July 2008}} the original ''[[Alone in the Dark]]'' series of video games,{{Fact|date=July 2008}} the Super Nintendo game [[Clock Tower (series)|Clocktower]],{{Fact|date=July 2008}} and the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] [[console role-playing game|RPG]] ''[[Sweet Home (video game)|Sweet Home]]''.{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The games have sold 34.5 million copies as of February 29, 2008.<ref>CAPCOM | Press Release ''[http://ir.capcom.co.jp/english/news/html/e080304.html]''. Retrieved March 4, 2008.</ref> ==Game history== The original ''[[Resident Evil (video game)|Resident Evil]]'' made its 1996 debut on the [[PlayStation]]. It was both a critical and commercial success,<ref>''Game Informer'' calls the "multi-million dollar franchise...Capcom's largest" and refers to "the original ''Resident Evil''" as "one of the most important games of all time." See "Enter The Survival Horror... A Resident Evil Retrospective," ''Game Informer'' 174 (October 2007): 132.</ref> leading to the production of two sequels, ''[[Resident Evil 2]]'' in 1998 and ''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]'' in 1999, both for the PlayStation and Dreamcast. A port of ''Resident Evil 2'' was released for the [[Nintendo 64]]. In addition, ports of all three were released for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. The fourth game in the series, ''[[Resident Evil Code: Veronica]]'', was developed for the [[Dreamcast|Sega Dreamcast]] and released in [[2000]], followed by ports of ''2'' and ''3''. ''Resident Evil Code: Veronica'' was later re-released for Dreamcast in updated form as ''Code: Veronica Complete'', which included slight modifications, many of which revolved around the story cutscenes. ''Code: Veronica Complete'' was later ported to [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Nintendo GameCube]] under the title ''Code: Veronica X'', and received world-wide release unlike the Japan-only release of the enhanced re-release for Dreamcast. Despite earlier announcements that the next game in the series would be released for the PlayStation 2, which resulted in the creation of an unrelated game titled ''[[Devil May Cry]]'', series' creator and producer [[Shinji Mikami]] decided to make the series exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} The next three games in the series: a remake of the original ''[[Resident Evil (video game)#GameCube remake|Resident Evil]]'', the [[prequel]] ''[[Resident Evil Zero]]'' and ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'', were exclusive to the GameCube, although ''4'' was later released for PS2, [[Wii]] and PC. In addition, the GameCube received ports of the previous ''Resident Evil'' sequels. The remake and ''Resident Evil Zero'' were both released in 2002. Despite this exclusivity agreement between Capcom and Nintendo, Capcom released several ''Resident Evil'' titles for the PS2 that were not considered direct sequels. A trilogy of [[GunCon]]-compatible [[light gun]] games known as the ''[[Gun Survivor]]'' series featured [[first person (video games)|first person]] gameplay. The first, ''[[Resident Evil: Survivor]]'', was released in 2000 for the PlayStation and PC, but received mediocre reviews.<ref>IGN.com. [http://psx.ign.com/articles/163/163923p1.html ''Resident Evil Survivor'' Review]. September 13, 2000. Retrieved January 27, 2006.</ref> The subsequent games, ''[[Resident Evil: Survivor 2 Code: Veronica]]'' (2001, Arcade/PlayStation 2) and ''[[Resident Evil: Dead Aim]]'' (2003, PlayStation 2), fared somewhat better.<ref>Gamespot.com. [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/residentevildeadaim/ ''Resident Evil: Dead Aim'' Review]. June 16, 2003.</ref> ''Dead Aim'' is actually the fourth ''Gun Survivor'' game in Japan, with ''Gun Survivor 3'' being the ''[[Dino Crisis]]'' spinoff ''[[Dino Stalker]]''. ''[[Resident Evil Outbreak]]'' is an [[online game]] for the PS2, released in 2004, depicting a series of episodic storylines in [[Raccoon City]] set during the same time period as ''Resident Evil 2'' and ''3''. It was followed by a sequel, ''[[Resident Evil Outbreak: File 2]]''. ''[[Resident Evil Gaiden]]'' is an [[action-adventure game]] for the [[Game Boy Color]] featuring an [[Console role-playing game|RPG]]-style combat system. It was developed by now-defunct British-based M4 Limited. [[Leon S. Kennedy]] and [[Barry Burton]] feature in the game, and it is notable for its [[cliffhanger]] ending that has not yet been explored in later games. There have also been several downloadable [[mobile game]]s based on the ''Resident Evil'' series in Japan. Some of these mobile games have been released in North America and Europe through Capcom Mobile. ==Games== ===Main series=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" !width="155"|Name !width="5"|Year of Release !width="80"|Original Platforms !width="150"|Ported/Remake Platforms |- |''[[Resident Evil (video game)|Resident Evil]]'' || [[1996 in video gaming|1996]] || [[Sega Saturn]] ||[[Personal computer|PC]], [[Playstation]], [[GameCube]], [[Nintendo DS]], Mobile Phone |- |''[[Resident Evil 2]]'' || [[1998 in games|1998]] || PlayStation ||PC, [[Game.com]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Dreamcast]], GameCube |- |''[[Resident Evil 3: Nemesis]]'' || [[1999 in video gaming|1999]] || PlayStation ||PC, Dreamcast, GameCube |- |''[[Resident Evil Code: Veronica]]'' || [[2000 in video gaming|2000]] || Dreamcast ||[[PlayStation 2]], GameCube |- |''[[Resident Evil Zero]]'' || [[2002 in video gaming|2002]] || GameCube || [[Wii]] (Japan only) |- |''[[Resident Evil 4]]'' || [[2005 in video gaming|2005]] || GameCube || PC, Wii, PlayStation 2, Mobile Phone (Japan only) |- |''[[Resident Evil: The Umbrella Chronicles]]'' || [[2007 in video gaming|2007]] || Wii || None |- |''[[Resident Evil 5]]'' || [[2009]] || [[PlayStation 3]], [[Xbox 360]] || TBA |} ===Survivor series=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" !width="155"|Name !width="5"|Year of Release !width="80"|Original Platforms !width="150"|Ported/Remake Platforms |- |''[[Resident Evil: Survivor]]'' || [[2000 in video gaming|2000]] || PlayStation || PC (China only) |- |''[[Resident Evil: Survivor 2 Code: Veronica]]'' || [[2001 in games|2001]] || [[Arcade game|Arcade]] || PlayStation 2 |- |''[[Resident Evil: Dead Aim]]'' || [[2003 in video gaming|2003]] || PlayStation 2 || None |} ===Outbreak series=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" !width="155"|Name !width="5"|Year of Release !width="80"|Original Platforms !width="150"|Ported/Remake Platforms |- |''[[Resident Evil Outbreak]]'' || [[2003 in video gaming|2003]] || PlayStation 2 || None |- |''[[Resident Evil Outbreak File 2|Resident Evil Outbreak File #2]]'' || [[2004 in video gaming|2004]] || PlayStation 2 || None |} ===Portable games=== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%" !width="155"|Name !width="5"|Year of Release !width="80"|Original Platforms !width="150"|Ported/Remake Platforms |- |''[[Resident Evil Gaiden]]'' || [[2001 in video gaming|2001]] || [[Game Boy Color]] || None |- |''[[Resident Evil: The Missions]]'' || [[2005 in video gaming|2005]] || Mobile Phone || None |- |''[[Resident Evil Confidential Report]]'' || [[2006 in video gaming|2006]] || Mobile Phone || None |- |''[[Resident Evil (video game)#Deadly Silence|Resident Evil: Deadly Silence]]'' || [[2006 in video gaming|2006]] || [[Nintendo DS]] || None |- |''[[Resident Evil: Genesis]]'' || [[2008 in video gaming|2008]] || Mobile Phone || None |} ==Related media== In addition to video games, the plot of ''Resident Evil'' has also been adapted into officially licensed materials such as films, comic books, and novels. ===Films=== There are currently three ''Resident Evil'' films, written by [[Paul W. S. Anderson]]. Though acclaimed horror film director [[George A. Romero]] was hired to write a script for the first film, it was ultimately rejected in favor of one penned by Anderson.<ref>TNMC Movie News. ''[http://www.tnmc.org/gnews/residentevil.shtml TNMC Movie News: Resident Evil]''. May 27, 1999. Retrieved January 27, 2006.</ref> As Romero's script was a close, but not full, adaptation of the game, Capcom believed fans would feel that the movie had been altered too much from the game, and that newcomers would dislike the premise.<ref>TNMC Movie News. ''[http://www.tnmc.org/gnews/residentevil.shtml TNMC Movie News: Resident Evil]''. November 29, 1999. Retrieved January 27, 2006.</ref> Sony released a revised synopsis that referred to ''Extinction'' as "the third and final installment" of the ''Resident Evil'' film series.<ref>http://movies.ign.com/articles/751/751224p1.html IGN: An End to ''Evil''?. December 16, 2006. Retrieved January 21, 2007.</ref> The movies were mostly panned by critics,<ref>Rottentomatoes.com. ''[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/resident_evil/ Reviews of Resident Evil]''. Retrieved January 27, 2006.</ref> but reaction from fans were mixed. Some praised the movie for bringing the series to a mainstream audience,<ref>IGN Flimforce. ''[http://filmforce.ign.com/articles/660/660471p3.html Videogame Movies: A Retrospective]''. October 21, 2005. Retrieved January 27, 2006.</ref> while others criticized the fact that it was a confused adaptation of the ''Resident Evil'' games{{Fact|date=January 2008}}. Despite the criticism, the films have been financially successful enough to encourage the approval of a [[trilogy]]. Released films are as follows: * ''[[Resident Evil (film)|Resident Evil]]'' ([[2002 in film|2002]]) * ''[[Resident Evil: Apocalypse]]'' ([[2004 in film|2004]]) * ''[[Resident Evil: Extinction]]'' ([[2007 in film|2007]]) Capcom has also created two ''Biohazard'' films: * ''[[Biohazard 4D Executer]]'' ([[2000 in film|2000]]) * ''[[Resident Evil: Degeneration]]'' ([[2008 in film|2008]]) ===Novels=== <!--[[Image:Novel1 lg.jpg|thumb|Cover of ''The Umbrella Conspiracy'', a novelization of the first game.]]--> The earliest ''Resident Evil'' novel was a [[novella]] titled ''Biohazard: The Beginning'' by Hiroyuki Ariga. It was published in 1997 as a portion of the book ''The True Story of Biohazard'', which was given away as a pre-order bonus with the Saturn version of ''Biohazard''. The story serves as a prelude to the events of the original ''Resident Evil'', in which Chris investigates the disappearance of a missing friend. [[S.D. Perry]] has written novelizations of the first five games, as well as two original novels taking place between games. The Perry series is: ''The Umbrella Conspiracy'', a novelization of the first game; ''[[Resident Evil: Caliban Cove|Caliban Cove]]'', an original novel set after the first game; ''City of the Dead'', a novelization of ''Resident Evil 2''; ''[[Resident Evil: Underworld|Underworld]]'', another original novel set after ''Resident Evil 2''; ''Nemesis''; ''Code: Veronica''; and ''Zero Hour''. The novels often took liberties with the plot of the games by exploring events occurring outside and beyond the games. This often meant that the games would later contradict the novels by taking the story in a different direction.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} One notable addition from the novels is the character of Trent, who often served as a mysterious behind-the-scenes string-puller who aided the main characters. Perry's novels were translated and released in Japan with new cover arts by Wolfina.<ref>[http://wolfina.com/snake-heart/ Snake Heart<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Interestingly enough, Perry's novels stated that Brian Irons was attempting to run for mayor, which was something mentioned in ''Biohazard: The Beginning''. There was also a trilogy of original ''Biohazard'' novels in Japan. {{nihongo|''Hokkai no Yōjū''|北海の妖獣||lit. "The Beast of the Northern Seas"}} was published in 1998 and was written by Kyū Asakura and the staff of Flagship. Two additional novels were published in 2002, ''To the Liberty'' by Suien Kimura and ''Rose Blank'' by Tadashi Aizawa. While no official English translation of these novels has been published yet, the last two books were translated into German and published in [[2006]]. Novelizations of the three films, titled ''Genesis'', ''Apocalypse'', and ''Extinction'' were written by [[Keith R.A. DeCandido]]. Extinction, the novel, was released in late July of 2007, several months before the film's release. There was also a Japanese novelization of the first film, unrelated to DeCandido's version, written by Osamu Makino. ===Comics=== In [[1998]] [[Wildstorm]] began publication of a monthly [[comic book]] series based on the first two games titled ''Resident Evil: The Official Comic Magazine'', which lasted five issues. Each issue was a compilation of short stories that were both adaptations of events from the games (alluded and depicted), as well as related side-stories. Like the Perry novels, the comics also explored events occurring beyond ''Resident Evil 2'' (the latest game during the series' publication) and thus were contradicted by later games. Wildstorm also published a four-issue mini-series titled ''Resident Evil: Fire & Ice'', which depicted the ordeal of Charlie Team, a third S.T.A.R.S. team appearing only in the comic. There has also been a few officially licensed (as well as unlicensed) ''Biohazard'' [[manhua]] series published in [[Hong Kong]]. One of these comics, an adaptation of ''Code: Veronica'' by Lee Chung Hing, was translated into English and published by Wildstorm. ===Merchandise=== Over the years, various toy companies have acquired the ''Resident Evil'' license and each producing their own unique line of ''Resident Evil'' [[action figure]]s or models. These include, but not limited to, [[Toy Biz]], Palisade Toys and Moby Dick (in Japan only). [[NECA]] and Hot Toys currently holds a license. Originally the company was only producing figures based on ''Resident Evil 4'', but extended the line to include characters from previous installments. Tokyo Marui also produced replicas of the guns used in the ''Resident Evil'' series in the form of gas blow-back [[airsoft]] guns. Some models included the [[S.T.A.R.S. (Resident Evil)|S.T.A.R.S.]] [[Beretta]] featured in ''Resident Evil 3'', and the [[Umbrella Corporation|Umbrella]] [[Desert Eagle]] in a limited edition that came with other memorabilia in a wooden case, along with the Gold [[Luger]]s from ''Code: VERONICA'' "Samurai Edge" from the Gamecube ''Resident Evil'' remake. Other merchandise includes an energy drink called "T-Virus Antidote". ===Sourcebooks=== ''Resident Evil Archives'' (''Biohazard Archives'') is a reference guide of the ''Resident Evil'' series written by staff members of Capcom. It was translated into English and published by BradyGuides. The guide describes and summarizes all of the key events that occur in ''[[Resident Evil 0]]'', ''Resident Evil'', ''Resident Evil 2'', ''Resident Evil 3: Nemesis'', and ''Resident Evil Code: Veronica''. Along with the main plot analysis, it also contains character relationship charts, artwork, item descriptions and file transcripts for all five games. While one of the few video game-based reference guides that was translated into English, the translation was criticized by fans for inconsistencies with the original Japanese version {{Fact|date=July 2007}}, as well as inconsistencies in the official translations provided by the games themselves {{Fact|date=July 2007}}. <!--One part of the guide replaces all instances of the word "biohazard" with "Resident Evil", even when the situation didn't warrant it (resulting in such goofs such as the UBCS being referred as the "Umbrella Resident Evil Countermeasure Service" at one point), as well as typos and spelling errors throughout.--> ==Critical response== Utilizing heavy [[Horror fiction|horror]] elements, puzzle solving, and a lot of action, most of the games in the main ''Resident Evil'' series have been released to positive reviews. Many of the games, notably ''Resident Evil 4'', have been bestowed with multiple [[Game of the Year]] honors<ref>IGN. ''[http://www.tnmc.org/gnews/residentevil.shtml IGN Presents: The Best of 2005]''. 2006. Retrieved January 28, 2006.</ref> and frequently placed on lists of the best games ever made.<ref>''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]''. ''Top 100 Video Games of All Time''. Issue 200, page 94. Retrieved January 28, 2006.</ref> A common criticism of the series is its odd placement of puzzles. When speaking of ''Code: Veronica'', one critic wrote that the game is ''"still largely a puzzle-driven (as opposed to plot driven) experience."''<ref>Gamecritics.com. ''[http://www.gamecritics.com/review/re_veronica/main.php Resident Evil Code: Veronica Review]''. April 11, 2000. Retrieved January 28, 2006.</ref> Capcom has been commended, however, for making an attempt to phase out and better integrate the puzzles, with [[IGN]] writing that the puzzles of ''Resident Evil 4'' are ''"not so obscure that they can't be figured out, and indeed many of them are downright clever."''<ref>IGN.com. ''[http://cube.ign.com/articles/577/577841p4.html Review of Resident Evil 4]''. January 7, 2005. Retrieved January 28, 2006.</ref> ==In other games== Due to ''Resident Evil''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s popularity, Capcom has incorporated references to the series and even actual crossovers with the characters in some of their other titles. Other companies, such as [[SNK Playmore]] and [[Namco]], have also incorporated references to the series. * ''[[Pocket Fighter]]'' (1997) - A [[super deformed]] [[fighting game]] starring ''[[Street Fighter (series)|Street Fighter]]'' and ''[[Darkstalkers]]'' characters. In one of her combos, [[Chun Li]] is dressed as [[Jill Valentine]] in her [[S.T.A.R.S. (Resident Evil)|S.T.A.R.S.]] outfit. [[Akuma (Street Fighter)|Akuma]]'s ending in the game also featured a scene in which he fights [[List of Resident Evil creatures#Zombie|zombies]] dressed like those from the original ''Resident Evil''. *''[[Breath of Fire III]]'' (1998) - There is an enemy in Caer Xhan that is called "[[List of Resident Evil creatures#Plant 42|Plant 42]]". *''[[Trick'N Snowboarder]]'' (1999) - A [[snowboarding]] [[sports game]] for the Sony PlayStation, featuring Leon, [[Claire Redfield|Claire]], and a zombie cop from ''Resident Evil 2'' as unlockable characters. *''[[Dino Crisis]]'' (1999) - A survival horror (or "survival panic") game directed by Shinji Mikami, often considered to be a cousin to the ''Resident Evil'' series. Umbrella logos are visible on certain crates. *''[[SNK vs. Capcom: Card Fighters Clash]]'' (1999) - A [[collectible card game|card game]]-based video game for the [[Neo Geo Pocket Color]]. ''Card Fighters Clash'' featured various trading cards based on Capcom and SNK games, including characters cards of Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, Claire Redfield, and a generic zombie from the series, as well as an Action Card called "Escape", which pictured [[Sherry Birkin]] fleeing from the mutant [[List of Resident Evil creatures#G (William Birkin)|G]]. The mansion from the first game is adapted into a theme part attraction within the game, featuring various references to the series (including two characters named "[[Chris Redfield|Chris]]" and "Mikami"). The sequel (''Card Fighters 2: Expand Edition'') added two new character cards depicting Chris Redfield and [[Nemesis (Resident Evil)|Nemesis]]. The upcoming ''Card Fighters DS'' will feature an [[Ada Wong]] card. *''[[Marvel vs. Capcom series|Marvel vs. Capcom 2]]'' (2000) - A popular fighting game that has been ported to several [[Video game console|home consoles]], ''Marvel vs. Capcom 2'' featured an extensive roster of characters from both [[Marvel Comics]] and Capcom. ''Resident Evil'''s Jill Valentine was one such character. She is armed with most of the weapons she equips in the original ''Resident Evil'' and can summon some of the enemy creatures of the series for special attacks, including the Rocket Launcher and [[Tyrant (Resident Evil)|Tyrant]] respectively. *''[[Under the Skin (video game)|Under the Skin]]'' (2004) - One level in this [[sci-fi]] [[comedy]] PlayStation 2 game takes place in a comical parody of Raccoon City, and features several characters from ''Resident Evil 3: Nemesis'', including Jill Valentine and [[List of characters in the Resident Evil series#Carlos Oliveira|Carlos Oliveira]], as well as the Nemesis itself. *''[[Namco x Capcom]]'' (2005) - A [[tactical role-playing game|strategy RPG]] for the PlayStation 2. [[Bruce McGivern]] and [[Fong Ling]] from ''Resident Evil: Dead Aim'' are featured, among other Capcom and Namco characters. *''[[Viewtiful Joe: Double Trouble]]'' (2005)- Contains a level based on the ''Resident Evil'' series, featuring music and enemies from the games, and pictures of villains dressed as Jill, Carlos, Claire and [[Characters in Resident Evil Code: Veronica#Steve Burnside|Steve]] in the background. * ''[[Dead Rising]]'' (2006) - Another Capcom game involving zombies for the Xbox 360, though it is unrelated to the ''Resident Evil'' universe. This game contains several ''Resident Evil'' references. The most obvious of these is a sandwich restaurant named ''Jill's Sandwiches'' in reference to Barry's infamous line in the original ''Resident Evil''. ==See also== * [[:Category:Resident Evil soundtracks|''Resident Evil'' soundtracks]] * ''[[Sweet Home (video game)|Sweet Home]]'' – a game from which ''Resident Evil'' borrowed many thematic elements. It was released only in Japan in 1989 for the [[Famicom]], but was unofficially translated into English. * ''[[Alone in the Dark (video game)|Alone in the Dark]]'' - a game from which ''Resident Evil'' borrowed many gameplay mechanics. * ''[[Devil May Cry]]'' – a game that was originally planned to be [[Resident Evil 4]]. * [[List of video games featuring zombies]] * [[Genetic engineering in fiction]] ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.capcom.com/ResidentEvil/ Official ''Resident Evil'' website] * [http://www.capcom.co.jp/bio_series/ Official ''Biohazard'' website] * [http://www.mobygames.com/game-group/biohazardresident-evil-series ''Biohazard''/''Resident Evil'' series] on [[MobyGames]] * {{wikia|residentevil|''Resident Evil''}} {{Resident Evil series}} [[Category:Resident Evil| ]] [[ar:ريزدنت إيفل]] [[bg:Resident Evil (игра)]] [[ca:Resident Evil]] [[cs:Resident Evil]] [[da:Resident Evil (serie)]] [[de:Resident Evil]] [[es:Resident Evil]] [[fa:رزیدنت اویل (مجموعه)]] [[fr:Resident Evil]] [[hr:Resident Evil]] [[id:Resident Evil]] [[it:Resident Evil (serie)]] [[he:Resident Evil (סדרת משחקים)]] [[lt:Resident Evil]] [[hu:Resident Evil]] [[nl:Resident Evil (spel)]] [[ja:バイオハザードシリーズ]] [[no:Resident Evil (videospill)]] [[pl:Resident Evil (gra)]] [[pt:Resident Evil]] [[qu:Resident Evil]] [[ru:Resident Evil (серия игр)]] [[fi:Resident Evil -pelisarja]] [[sv:Resident Evil]] [[th:เรซิเดนต์อีวิล]] [[zh:生化危機系列]]